Goals

Near-term Goals

In the near term, the Partnership works collaboratively to achieve two specific goals by 2025:

Protect an additional two million acres of lands throughout the watershed—currently identified as high-conservation priorities at the federal, state, or local level—including 225,000 acres of wetlands and 695,000 acres of forest land of highest value for maintaining water quality.

Add 300 new public access sites, with a strong emphasis on providing opportunities for boating, swimming, and fishing, where feasible.

These goals are set through the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement, signed in 2014 by the governors of Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia, the Mayor of the District of Columbia, the Chesapeake Bay Commission and the Federal Government.

Long-term Goals

Since 2015, the Partnership has been looking beyond near-term goals set out in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement to view a long-term vision of a vibrant, healthy and sustainable Chesapeake region.